“Texas Best Sommelier” winner Jason Huerta to leave Pappas Bros. steakhouse, will lead Counter 357 in Austin

Jason Huerta, one of Texas’ Best Sommeliers and a commanding presence at Pappas Bros. steakhouse for years, is moving south. Huerta tells the Hatch that he will lead the beverage program at  Counter 357, a tiny, new, 26-seat, boutique restaurant opening on South Congress Avenue in Austin next month.  Counter’s menu, from the chef Lawrence Kocurek, will lean Modern American and be offered solely as prix fixe. Diners will sit around a U-shaped counter, sushi bar-style, and be served by the chef, the GM or Huerta, who will all run double duty as the restaurant’s servers. Huerta’s last day at Pappas Bros, will be January 19.